Wednesday, June 20, 2012

The most valuable thing we can do for the psyche, occasionally, is to let it rest, wander, live in the changing light of a room, not to try to do or be anything whatsoever. —May Sarton

A whole world can be seen through even the smallest window. Knowing this can help us slow down and enjoy everyday events. We can listen to the regular rhythms of letter carriers and school children, dogs and delivery trucks, city buses and song birds playing out a piece of their daily lives outside the window.

We can greet the letter carrier who comes up the walk, feed the robin who lands on the sill, wave to the kids who've found a shortcut through our backyards on their way home from school.

It is not necessary, today, for us to fill our lives with important meetings, gala parties, expensive treats, toys, or outings to be happy. There is a whole world to be discovered just outside the nearest window.

Open minded but concerned.Open-mindedness is a quality that helps us attract new ideas for our self-imporovement. Oddly, many of us though we were open-minded long before we ever considered a program.

We learned that what we considered open-mindedness was really indifference based on self-justification. It follow that people who are deep into selfish, compulsive behavior will appear to be open-minded and even very tolerant.

This attitude is really the result of a desire to be accepted in spite of questionable behavior. It reflects no concern for others.

In living the program, we seek to cultivate true open-mindedness. This means being open to new ideas and opportunities, but also being concerned about others and taking care not to harm them.

Action for the Day: Today I'll be open to what people are thinking and saying. I will be careful not to let my own prejudices keep me from viewpoints that will help me and others.

Out of your rut

You don’t have to continue doing things the way you’ve always done them. Today is a new day, filled with new possibilities, so remember to treat it as such.

You don’t have to be held prisoner by your old, familiar habits and assumptions. There’s a whole world of goodness and abundance beyond what you already know, so get out there and experience some of it.

Does it seem like you’ve run out of energy and enthusiasm? Maybe you’re just tired of the same old things.

Does it feel like you’re stuck? If you’re just living on autopilot, then you are indeed stuck.

Take the helm of your life and steer it in some new, exciting, fulfilling and energizing directions. Discover again and again how adaptable and interesting and joyful you can be.

The world is a never-ending source of beauty and wonder. Climb up out of your self-imposed rut and live the richness.

In the BLGTQI community we focus a lot on our outer appearance. How’s my hair? How do I look in this outfit? Does my make-up look good? I’m I too thin, or too fat? We can spend hours at the gym working out without any hesitation. But when it comes to working on our inner being, our soul, we tend to avoid it like the black plague. Many of us don’t even know where to begin.

My hope is that this post will help you figure out how to begin your “Work-In” program. Yes, just like a workout program at the gym.